Mark your calendar for Sunday, March 15, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., and come share a meal with purpose at Maharishi School’s annual Empty Bowls event.

Since 2015, Maharishi School students have welcomed the community to this heartfelt fundraiser dedicated to fighting hunger and food insecurity. What began as a student-led initiative has grown into a meaningful tradition that blends creativity, education, and service.

Why Empty Bowls matters

Food insecurity remains a serious issue both locally and across Iowa. In our state alone, 385,130 people — including 120,220 children — face uncertainty about where their next meal will come from. The annual meal gap in Iowa is nearly 73 million meals, and more than $248 million in additional funding would be needed to fully meet those needs.

Closer to home in Jefferson County:

• 13.6% of residents experience food insecurity
• Nearly 1 in 5 youth (19.3%) face food insecurity
• 14.6% of households meet poverty criteria

These aren’t just statistics — they represent neighbors, classmates, and families in our own community.

Students leading with purpose

This year’s event brings together students across grade levels in a powerful act of collaboration and service.

High school students have been crafting one-of-a-kind ceramic bowls under the guidance of Master Potter Mark Wilkins, pouring creativity and intention into each piece.

Meanwhile, 8th-grade students are helping lead event planning, designing posters, and creating educational infographics about food insecurity in Jefferson County.

The project reflects three of Maharishi School’s core values in action:

• Responsibility
• Solutions
• Service

Students are not only learning about global and local challenges — they are stepping up to be part of the solution.

A simple meal, a lasting impact

For a $25 donation, guests will receive:

• A handcrafted ceramic bowl of their choice (yours to keep)
• Unlimited soup
• Fresh bread
• A warm, community-centered dining experience

Each bowl serves as a reminder that while many face empty bowls each day, together we can help fill them.

We are deeply grateful to our local partners who support this effort:

• Everybody’s Whole Foods for donating soup ingredients
• Breadtopia for donating fresh bread

All proceeds from this year’s event will benefit a local hunger-relief organization or Action Against Hunger.

Event details

Sunday, March 15
11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Maharishi School Student Center Kitchen
804 Dr. Robert Keith Drive, Fairfield.

Guests are asked to RSVP in advance – click here.

Join us for a nourishing meal, meaningful conversation, and the opportunity to make a tangible difference. We hope to see you there.

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Rhian Tomassetti is the MIU News Editor for Maharishi School.